Iberdrola’s Carbon2Nature and MERLIN Properties Forge MERLIN Forest to Restore 200 Hectares and Capture 160,000 t CO₂

MERLIN Properties partners with Carbon2Nature to create the MERLIN Forest

(IN BRIEF) Carbon2Nature (an Iberdrola Group company) and MERLIN Properties have launched the MERLIN Forest, a 200-hectare reforestation project in Salamanca’s Serradilla del Llano, adjacent to Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park. Over 300,000 native trees will restore a fire-ravaged landscape, sequestering more than 160,000 tonnes of CO₂ in 50 years, certified by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition. The 50-year partnership allocates technical oversight to Carbon2Nature and forest stewardship to MERLIN. The project enhances biodiversity, soil quality, and water conservation, while creating rural employment and economic prospects. This initiative exemplifies how the real estate industry can lead in nature-based climate action and sustainable land management.

(PRESS RELEASE) BILBAO, 27-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Iberdrola’s nature-based arm, Carbon2Nature, and MERLIN Properties have teamed up to launch the MERLIN Forest, an ambitious environmental restoration initiative in Salamanca that will sequester over 160,000 tonnes of CO₂ and revitalize 200 hectares of ecologically significant land. Under a 50-year stewardship agreement, Carbon2Nature will handle all technical management, upkeep, and monitoring, while MERLIN Properties assumes long-term responsibility for the newly planted woodland.

The project targets a severely fire-damaged zone in Serradilla del Llano—site of the province’s largest blaze this century—adjacent to the Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park. By planting more than 300,000 trees across five native species, the scheme not only rehabilitates nearly 192 hectares but also fortifies the ecosystem against future climate stressors. Over the next half-century, this restored forest will capture and certify upwards of 160,000 tonnes of carbon under Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition standards.

Beyond climate benefits, the MERLIN Forest will serve as a biodiversity haven, creating habitats for wildlife and pollinators, enhancing soil health, and conserving water resources. The initiative also delivers social value by generating rural jobs, countering depopulation, and fostering economic opportunities for local communities. As a pioneering partnership in the real estate sector, this collaboration underscores how companies can co-invest in scalable, sustainable solutions that drive both environmental recovery and long-term corporate leadership in sustainability.

Corporate Communication (contact for Media)

Tel.: +34 91 784 32 32
Mail: comunicacioncorporativa@iberdrola.es

SOURCE: IBERDROLA